Which Years Of Used Nissan Maximas Are Most Reliable?
For more than 40 years, the Maxima has served as Nissan’s flagship sedan (including when it first came to the U.S. as the Datsun Maxima). Over the decades, the car has served as the perfect bridge between mainstream affordability and upscale characteristics. And for many, it makes the ideal used car. So, knowing the most reliable years of the Nissan Maxima is essential.
With this in mind, let’s explore the best Maxima models to consider as a used car. It’s important to know that Nissan is dropping the Maxima from its lineup after 2023. So anyone looking for what the company calls a “four-door sports car” will soon be limited to pre-owned models.
Note that while there are eight Nissan Maxima generations, we only look at the fifth and newer generations. Reliability is less certain with older vehicles.
Most Reliable Years of the Nissan Maxima
We’ve divided the most reliable Nissan Maxima years by generation to help wallet-focused buyers. For those with tight budgets, look for a Maxima from the fifth or sixth generation.
These thumbs-up model years are determined by focusing on minimal engine and transmission issues (compared to other model years from that particular generation). These systems are the most expensive to repair, so fewer trouble reports in these areas should lead to more reliable cars that are less expensive to repair and maintain.
Here’s a quick glance at the most reliable years of the Nissan Maxima. This information is followed by an explanation of why each model year was selected.
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Nissan Maxima (fifth generation)
- 2002
- 2003
Nissan Maxima (sixth generation)
- 2007
- 2008
Nissan Maxima (seventh generation)
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
Nissan Maxima (eighth generation)
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
Most Reliable Years of the Nissan Maxima: The Breakdown
We reviewed details from carcomplaints.com, Consumer Reports, repairpal.com, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the most reliable Nissan Maxima years.
THE NISSAN MAXIMA YEARS TO AVOID
Automakers are constantly improving their vehicles over the years. Let’s pop the hood of the quick and stylish Nissan Maxima and discover the model years to avoid.
2002 Nissan Maxima (fifth generation)
Cars with more than 20 years of use won’t be perfect. However, reports of engine troubles with the 2002 Maxima are down from earlier fifth-generation models (2000-2001). RepairPal says that the most common issue with this Nissan is transmission slippage, but this reflects 14 reports, not hundreds or thousands. That said, it’s always wise to have a mechanic inspect any used car you’re considering.
2003 Nissan Maxima
Transmission issues have all but disappeared from the 2003 Maxima, but engine troubles are still reported. So advice about a pre-purchase inspection is equally critical for the 2003 Maxima. Otherwise, complaints about this Nissan are all over the place, meaning there aren’t any other patterns of problems (that’s a good thing).
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2007 Nissan Maxima (sixth generation)
Although Nissan introduced an all-new sixth-generation Maxima for 2004, it took several years to work out the serious kinks (including numerous transmission troubles). Things turned a corner with the 2007 Maxima, as these reports dropped significantly. Problems do arise with the air conditioning, but it’s far better to repair a leaky hose than a faulty gearbox.
2008 Nissan Maxima
The 2008 Maxima is the sweet spot for buying an older Nissan. Complaints about the engine and transmission are down to a handful even with the company selling more than 47,000 units in the U.S. Like the 2007 edition, a leaking air conditioner hose can arise, but that’s a simple fix. While a 15-year-old car won’t be flawless, this Maxima is the most suitable option for buyers without a five-figure budget. Carcomplaints.com calls the 2008 Maxima “Awesome.”
2012 Nissan Maxima (seventh generation)
The seventh-generation Maxima debuted for the 2009 model year, but it’s best avoided like the plague. This edition didn’t get better until 2012. So, don’t start your seventh-generation Maxima search with anything older. Among the almost 66,000 examples sold, NHTSA received only two complaints about the engine or transmission; that’s remarkable.
2013 Nissan Maxima
The 2013 Maxima is equally impressive with very few complaints about major systems, earning it an “Awesome” ranking on carcomplaints.com (for the record, the 2012 Maxima received the same rating). There are a few reports of a faulty power steering pump, so keep this in mind during a car search.
2014 Nissan Maxima
A slight uptick in transmission trouble reports doesn’t rule the 2014 Maxima out of contention. This just means exercising caution during the shopping process. Overall, this Nissan is still solid and provides an alternative if you can’t find a decent 2012 or 2013 Maxima to buy.
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2017 Nissan Maxima (eighth generation)
Nissan skipped the 2015 model year for the Maxima and launched the eighth-generation edition for 2016. But history proves the earliest version of the latest Maxima is best avoided. Instead, start your eighth-gen Maxima shopping with the 2017 model year. It’s got the reliability nod from Consumer Reports and most complaints focus on body and paint problems (which are easy to spot). This Maxima offers the ideal blend of modernity and depreciation and is the one to look for if the budget permits.
2018 Nissan Maxima
NHTSA recorded one complaint about the 2018 Maxima’s drivetrain; that makes this another banner year for this Nissan model. A small number of brake problems are reported, but the majority involve a recall that the manufacturer pays for. Always use the NHTSA recall checker to see if a car you’re interested in is subject to recall and has been fixed.
2019 Nissan Maxima
While only four years old, the 2019 Maxima is old enough that reports about engines and transmissions should appear on the relevant sites. However, owners have few bad things to say about this Nissan. We’ll take that as good news and a reason to buy the 2019 Maxima.
A Note about the 2020-2023 Nissan Maxima: Sales for the Nissan Maxima have declined significantly starting with the 2020 model year (car buyers love SUVs and trucks). So, reliability data is non-existent. That doesn’t mean these are problematic vehicles, but a lack of information makes it impossible to make recommendations one way or another.
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